Many organizations, and preserved habitats continue today because of the volunteers who put their hearts and time into these projects.

Several years ago, I understood that giving back to my community had so many benefits for the Giver and Receiver. Helping with the preservation of our fragile eco system was appreciated and seemed like a win-win.

My website, www..volunteer-on-vacation-hawaii was born from the desire to give back. I had some great adventures exploring these varied opportunities. Clearing trails, working with animals, pulling invasive species, and planting native trees and plants were some of works that I had the good fortune to participate in.

Some of my guests at Hale Ho'okipa Inn have taken advantage of these opportunities and were blessed to visit places inaccessible to the public. Many have enjoyed interaction with the animal sanctuaries. I offer guests a discount on their stay for their community contributions.

Another fun opportunity is the Maui Nui Botanical Garden in Central Maui. Check them out for their "Weed and Pot" days where you can repot native species and pull invasive weeds.

Recently I was surprised by my company Better Homes and Gardens Advantage Realty Valley Isle, with an :Excellence in Community Service Award ."This award is given to the person who gets involved and contributes in their community and shows a genuine compassion towards others less fortunate or who need extra assistance. "

Well, then..here's to the Spirit of continued Giving...May we all lend a hand where needed.

It's been 75 years since the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Hawaii became a very strategic place during the war for the Service people who had missions in the Pacific. Close to 200,000 service men and women trained and rested on Maui. Makawao School is the site of the old Army Hospital. Since so many military were in Makawao town and at near- by Camp Maui in Haiku , the need for a gathering place grew.

Ethel Baldwin rose to the occasion and opened the USO in January of 1943. She leased a vacant store front and decorated it in a ranch theme, creating a very homey atmosphere for the lonely servicemen. They offered pool and ping pong, reading and writing stations, a cozy fireplace, books, musical instruments, conversation, refreshments and radio.

The Hostesses played an important role in the entertainment of their guests. They ran a tight ship while providing a home away from home for those stationed on Maui. Some entertained with music, and caring conversation for those recovering from, or facing battle.

By August of 1944, 100,000 service men had visited this important establishment and enjoyed the hospitality of our Upcountry residents. Once the war ended in 1945, the USO closed after serving so many.

Our current exhibit at the Makawao History Museum displays some of the original decor of the USO, most especially featuring a very large painting of a ranch scene by Arm Sgt. Nicholas Zuraw. Darrell Orwig expertly restored the painting, we reframed it and it is the centerpiece for our current exhibit. We will have the exhibit on display until the end of the year.

This November marks the 100th Year Anniversary of Makawao's beloved Komoda Store and Bakery.

Takezo and Shigeri Komoda opened the first Komoda store as a coffee saloon on Olinda Rd in 1916. They purchased land in Makawao town proper and opened the current store in 1932. Their large family worked as a team delivering groceries and serving food. During WW II business boomed with so many military in town. They continued to sell groceries and expanded to hardware and fabric as Makawao's general store.

In 1947, Ikup , Takeo;s brother, went to baking school in Minnesota. The Komoda ohana began to focus on their bakery operation as larger supermarkets became the norm. . Ikuo Komoda baked the stick donuts and malasadas and the iconic cream puffs which was added to the menu in the 1960's.

Komoda Exhibit Makawao History Museum

In 2016, the bakery produces 30 items. People line up early in the morning to get their fresh baked goods. My neighbor island guests always buy boxes of goodies to take home which is customary.

Darrell Orwig and I recently completed the new exhibit to honor Komodas. We had such a blast doing this exhibit. We made donuts our of styrofoam and everyone is getting a laugh out of this. I love what we get to do, all aspects of it....and it really tickles our visitors, local and world wide.

If you are on Maui, take a drive Upcountry and stop in and say hi. We are the little museum with a big heart.

Maui's Premier Art Exhibit

Aloha,

My favorite art show of the season will be coming to a close soon. The East Maui Watershed folks sponsor an educational event and exhibit every year to bring awareness to our fragile and precious watershed area.

Opening ceremonies in one of the most beautiful settings on Earth remind us again why we live and love Maui.

The subject that I chose for my print was the Pukiawe , a woody mountain side shrub that is adorned with beautiful white and pink berries with dusty green and silver colored leaves. I felt honored to have my piece selected as there were many entries to the show. It's a very strong exhibit with wood carvings, stunning photography, tapa cloth, ceramics and much more. The primary and high school students also participate and their work is very touching. Love that the kids are learning early about our island and all the native plants. The focus is entirely on protecting and highlighting the native species of Maui.

It's a great focus to learn more about the watershed and the protection of our precious resources.

Today was the first day the air felt warm early in the morning. Shorts at 7 a.m is a great way to start a comfortable day. Not too hot, nor muggy, clear, little puffs of trade winds, summer 2016 is shaping up nicely. Our seasonal tropical storms often start out warm, and then we are cooled off by showers. Looks like we have more showers headed our way.

The July 4th Rodeo and Parade attracted a great and happy crowd. Being an election year, there were 62 parade Entries. Politicians waved to the crowd on horseback, on tractors, hay rides, convertibles and on foot. Luckily there were way more horses than candidates. Being the hundred year anniversary for the Kaonoulu Ranch and they were well represented with almost 30 Riders. Our lovely Makawao Museum had a float the featured local musical talent of the Haiku Hillbillies. Float decorators and parade participants gathered in near by neighbor hoods in the very early morning hours.

Summer also ushers in the the start of Obon Season. In early July the festivities take place at the beautiful Mantokuji Mission, the Japanese Buddhist Temple on Maui's North Shore outside of Paia. Grave sites are decorated and the Bon Odori, Group Dance , is performed to honor the spirits of the ancestors.

The ocean has been inviting and the perfect place to cool off and get some exercise..

The tradewinds are blowing today and summer is shaping up beautifully as we roll on towards kids going back to school already !

Since I have been so very focused on Real Estate in the last few years, RE seems like a good subject to ponder and share today.

I've been working with people downsizing, investing ,buying their first home, wanting to build a home and retiring on Maui. Some of my long time friends are moving closer into town as they age, and the younger ones are moving further out into the country to build and grow their dreams. The cycle of life continues, and it's so evident to me now as my Baby Boomer friends are pondering their next move.

I came across something interesting today regarding retiring in Hawaii, and most especially on Maui. I want to share the information from the Maui Now news site.

Find more details on the study results and methodology, and an interactive maponline. "

Retirement is on the mind for many.. I have a few friends who have opted for the condo life for half the year and mainland touring or living for the rest of the year. Condos in Wailea seem to be the most attractive to this lifestyle with shopping, dining, beautiful weather and easy ocean access.

It's a sunny Sunday afternoon and I am greeting folks at Open House today on my awesome listing on 620 Laie Dr, Makawao. One of the sweetest slices of Makawao with a gracious 1949 home perched on the hill is my recent beautiful listing. This home is as close as I have ever come to considering a move from my Heritage Home to a different one. It's so well constructed with high ceilings and incredible light.

Everyone who stops in really loves the house and the grounds. The perfect match is coming soon. Several families , and multi generational families are really smitten with all the space inside. There's room for everyone to spread out, and enjoy the big yard as well.

The newly revised website for my RE business is also available to visit. Check out www.homesalesmaui. It's updated and features really wonderful photography from a few friends, with most of the gorgeous photos taken by my Daughter, Phaedra Kammerer.

Phae is an amazing photography with a sensitive eye and a deep love for Hawaii. Most of her photos make me catch my breath as I can feel her alignment with her subject as she captures the perfect light. Photography that evokes emotional responses is a true art.

It's been a little while since I've posted and now that my updated web site is settled in, it's time to sharpen my pencil again.

Theancient Norfolk Pine in my yard recently had some big work done. I was nervous for some crazy reason as my crew was very professional , careful and safety conscious.

We had some 'round tree discussions as to height, girth , size of the giant. There are three very large Norfolk Pines in Hawaii. One is on the Parker Ranch in Waimea, one is on Lanai, and the third is in my yard. The crew seemed to think my tree and the Lanai tree are both serious contenders for the Biggest in Hawaii.

I am never able to say "my tree" ...if anything I am the tree's human in charge of care taking. I had a beautiful start way up high many years ago, but, after seeing the large tree in Makawao town get hit by lightening because of the start, I am very happy it is metal free.

The tree is 162' ft high and 19' feet around. The branches that were taken down were about 2 feet across. I am hoping a friend who turns bowls will be able to create some beautiful and functional art.

I look to the mountain several times a day knowing how fortunate I am to live close to a place of such astounding natural beauty. People come from far and wide to visit, photograph, contemplate and hike in this spectacular national park.

While many dream about taking a break from our routines, making dreams come true takes a little ingenuity, effort and patience.

Most travelers do their own research and no longer use agents to design their trips. We now have travel information coming from several sources with advice on where to stay and what to do. Quality budget travel in Hawaii is certainly possible.

I love to travel, but have not gone far from home in awhile. Being self employed with two businesses does not afford me much time off. However, living in one of the most beautiful places in the world makes it just fine to stay home.

The way I see it, travel writers have a wonderful job. I always thought that would be a fun job, travelling with a purpose, intending to entertain others with your adventures and advice.

Maui Visitors Bureau sent me many media writers throughout the years. Most of those writers were fully scheduled during their time on Maui. I was not convinced they were relaxed enough to enjoy their visits, running from one event to another.

Hosting these writers and hearing their stories of the world travel makes for a lively breakfast while also igniting my personal travel bug. Darley Newman of Equitrekking was one of the travel writers I hosted. She recently aired her Adventures in Haleakala National Park for a segment on Budget Travel.

Historic Preservation is not for the faint of heart, or the light of pocketbook. If you are handy, or want to become handy then by all means, tempt fate and buy a 1924 house. If you have gumption and a soft spot for the old and forgotten, then roll the dice and look for a heritage home...or let one find you.

I wasn't looking when my house found me.

What originally tugged at my heart was the sadness I felt. It was an overwhelming emptiness, "where was the family, why let the ball drop on this beauty?"

Reality has a different look now. Top to bottom restoration of a 5 bedroom home covered in vines on the island of Maui for a single mom on a paper thin budget would give me great pause at this point.

When "Under a Tuscan Sun" hit the big screen, I watched with tears rolling and laughing until my face hurt. The scene with the hot water steaming out of the toilet left me gasping for air. I knew that plumbing dilemma only too well as one of the ancient bathroom on the North side of the house was a plumber's mystery challenge. The hot water found a way into places it was not supposed to. People appreciated that perk on cold mornings, but that is taking luxury bit too far.

Twenty years later, I have a pretty good understanding of what is involved in buying and restoring these forgotten gracious beauties.

Finding anything older than 1940 in Hawaii is very rare, especially a home in it's original condition still standing. Termites are healthy here.

The last home I restored was a cute and airy 1939 Plantation home in Makawao. My son and I worked on it together, sanding ,scraping ,painting and landscaping. We laughed, struggled and sweated, and it was a bonding experience that I will always cherish.

I have always been big on reuse, re-purpose and recycle before it became popular. Saving antique bed rails to make picture frames ,and rescuing vintage stain glass windows is second nature to me.

The Cypress trees I had to remove became flooring and trim for my home. Those wooden floors shine with a golden glow, offering a special softness under foot.

One of the most fulfilling experiences of this 20 year odyssey was the return of the original family for their family reunion. I had worked hard in preparation for the event. Glimpsing their experiences together, I could see the weekend was filled with love and excitement catching up and sharing memories in the old family home.

My lofty goals have shifted and changed throughout the years. It started with saving the house from demolition, then I thought it was about honoring the history of the original family, then I hung on to building something lasting for my own family. As I sit in the Kona Wing this afternoon experiencing my own staycation in a quiet house, I see that I have come to a place of simple observation and appreciation.

With all it's quirks, flaws and unfinished restoration, the artist in me admires the elegant lines, offset by formidable crown molding, and plate rails. The 11 foot ceilings give me room to breathe and my dreams space to float. The irregular antique wavey glass windows make beautiful patterns on the walls as the afternoon sun shines.

My senses are deeply satisfied as I contemplate true craftsmanship.

A 90 year old house is not too pushy in it's demands for preservation and restoration. It's patient knowing that I do what I can.

This summer I plan to take on the job of painting the outside of the house again. The shingles look thirsty and dry, it's one story, so, I think," I can do this"... maybe I will see who wants to join in a painting party.

displays their award winning blooming plants for all to enjoy as part of the holiday weekend celebrations.

The members of the Maui Orchid Society are passionate about their plants. Their goal is to further education, preservation and cultivation of orchids.

Whenever I visit one of their shows, I am impressed by the beauty of the blooms. Honestly however, the care, feeding and re-potting of my orchids has not really every made it to my to-do list.

Although I always enjoy orchids in my home, I only know the names and types of a few of the more common varieties. I've learned that orchids are much happier out in the yard in the natural light and Hawaiian rain. Those living in the orchid

house were feeling a bit neglected .

Victoria, who has helped me here at Hale Ho'okipa for many years, is knowledgeable about orchids and a member of the Maui Orchid Society.

Recently Victoria decided to give my orchids more of a chance to show off what they can do. She has scattered them around the yard, and they are obviously so much happier now. The plants that were moved to the front door of

I noticed at the show today that several plants were not growing in soil, instead were suspended in open baskets hanging from lattice and screens. The nice grower I was chatting with, mentioned that this method of growing is becoming more popular with great results. People will tuck them into the bark of large ferns or attach them to branches of tree trunks like air plants.

They thrive in this manner as well. I just am not sure how to feed them if there is no soil. I'll have to ask Victoria how to feed these orchids with bare roots.

I am very happy that my orchids are blooming now with my appreciation and admiration,

but not alot of needed attention.

May your spring be filled with fragrant and colorful blooms of all kinds.

Ceramics, photography, jewelry making, painting and printmaking are available to folks of the community and visitors alike.

I use the print studio, which is in the old carriage house of this grand estate, for classes and my own printmaking exploration. This studio is one of my "happy places". The more comfortable I become with the equipment and presses in the studio, the more enjoyable the open studio days become.

I use the two smaller presses, but have yet to experience the large mechanical press.

I do enjoy taking classes and learning new techniques. However, to work during open studio experimenting with what I have learned, is a treasure.

The gallery space of the main house is so inviting. Large and open, the spacious room with high ceilings and great light creates a perfect environment for art shows. During Opening Night, artists congregate in front of eachother's pieces sharing techniques and inspiration. At the

"10 X 10 Exhibition"

tonight I asked another printmaker if she would be willing to teach me a technique that she has mastered.

The challenge of this particular exhibition was to create 2D and 3D works of art within a very specific and defined space of 10 inches by 10 inches. 65 pieces were selected out of 158 entries.

A nice additional feature is an interactive space in the back studio where the public will be invited to create their own small works on a 4 x 4 format to display in a rotating exhibition. For a small fee, participants will have access to small surfaces and tools to paint or draw their own creations. Hopefully all the

10X10

pieces in the main body of the show will inspire young and old alike to create something of their own in an even smaller format.

My selected piece for the show, showcases a day in the life of my ducks. I enjoy creating fanciful duck scenes. I watch my ducks and all their silly looks, poses and posturing as they go about being ducks in my yard. The two ducks featured in my pieceare perched on a hill in all their island style finery.

My carving usually creates strong lines, so I like embellishing and softening my images with very light torn paper layered collages. The combination of these two techniques gives me lots of time for reflection and meditation while I work. This inner time is one of the most inviting and important aspects of the creative process. I love my quiet time, and it's fun to see light a hearted response to my creations.

I always look forward to playing in my own studio. Having this sanctuary just steps away from

Aloha,My fond nickname name for the Makawao History Museum is the " Little Museum that Did".After the first year of a skeleton crew of volunteers to create and organize a museum on the fly, we have come to an exciting crossroads.

Recently the Makawao History Museum moved from the outskirts of town to the very heart of historic Makawao. Our new space that is less than 1/4 of the original size.Once again, it was a scramble to sort items, return what we had no room for, and decide how to create displays with rickety walls . Rather amusing to try and get displays level in an old Makawao store front.The ever talented Darell Orwig and I designed the space, did the graphics and the install. I have learned so much from Darell who is no stranger to gallery and museum installs. Working with Darell is one of the main reasons I make time to work on the museum. He is a quirky and very artistic guy. We laugh alot , and often think in similar ways for displays. We created a full size horse from Styrofoam fastened to the front entrance wall. We recreate the horse with different paint every time we do a new display. Next up is a chestnut mare. Darell knows horses, I just like to ride them every now and then. The 2D horse is flanked by two old saddles on stands and vintage Makawao paniolo ( cowboy) photos.

Kids visiting the museum are able to have their photos taken up on one of the saddles wearing something from our collection of cowboy hats.I really admire the volunteers who sit floor and chat with visitors on a daily basis. Our new location is total gang busters, with as many as 80 visitors a day to the " Little Museum that Did."Because our grants and donations are coming through, we are now focused on up grading the photo displays. We now actually have money to get photos matted and backed instead of the quick push pins we used to get it all up and running. If you see an empty spot, know it's "under construction"Recently we created an homage to Haleakala Dairy. Check this link for a historic time line of a fascinating Maui operation. It's a simple display, there was so much to choose from and we decided on an interesting small slice of dairy life.

Please stop by for a visit, it will be entertaining, and you'll learn something about Makawao's colorful cowboy and ethnically diverse past.Aloha and see you soon,Cherie

Hale Ho'okipa Inn Makawao Bed and Breakfast

The Hale Hookipa Inn Maui Hawaii Bed and Breakfast, built in 1924, is now a historic Hawaiian bed and breakfast in Makawao town, on the slopes of Mount Haleakala near Ho'okipa State Beach Park—Maui's famous windsurfing beach. The upcountry, central location puts you within easy reach of Maui's many activities, including Haleakala National Park. The Hale Hookipa Inn was appointed to the Hawaii State and National Historic Registers (see the history page). These historic and affordable Maui accommodations are recommended by Frommer's and Fodor's Maui!